ASEAN-China Cultural Tourism Forum Successfully Held in Siem Reap

On 17 November 2017, ASEAN-China Cultural Tourism Forum, jointly organized by ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) and the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, was successfully held in Siem Reap, Cambodia. H.E. Yin Chhay Ly, Deputy Prime Minister and representative of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia, addressed the opening ceremony. Ms. Kong Roatlomang, Director of Education, Cultural and Tourism Division of ACC, attended the opening ceremony on behalf of ACC, and read welcoming remarks on behalf of H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ACC. Speakers from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Viet Nam, China, officials from local and central governments of Cambodia, representatives from cultural and tourism association, university faculties and students, totaling more than 300 people, attended the event.

H.E. Yim Chhay Ly thanked ACC for organizing this forum. He said, the 20th ASEAN-China Summit was held on 13 November 2017 in Manila and issued the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Tourism Cooperation, which reflected the strong interest and potential of ASEAN and China future cooperation. In line with this ASEAN-China tourism cooperation framework, the ASEAN-China Cultural Tourism Forum was held right in time. He said that the Belt and Road Initiative is the vision of President Xi Jinping with strategic influence on ASEAN-China relations. Many cooperative projects were carried out under the framework of the Belt and Road, all of which played positive role in enhancing people-to-people exchanges and win-win cooperation of ASEAN and China. He said, tourism is the utmost important sector for socio-economic development and poverty reduction in Cambodia. Chinese tourist accounted for a great number of the tourist flow. Cambodia will try its best to provide Chinese-oriented services and meet Chinese tourists’ needs.

H.E. Dr. Thong Khon thanked ACC for holding this forum. He said, both Cambodia and China are important nations located along the Maritime Silk Road. In line with the Belt and Road Initiative, Cambodia and China tourism cooperation has become a model for ASEAN-China tourism cooperation. Cambodia has adopted strategic plan to attract Chinese visitors (2016-2020) and published “China Read for Cambodia Tourism Book” to attract more Chinese tourists. He said, Cambodia has rich cultural heritage. Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia cooperates with private sectors to organize Cambodia Travel Mart 2017. He hopes this travel mart could attract more international tourists to Cambodia.

In the welcoming remarks, Secretary-General Yang Xiuping thanked Cambodian Ministry of Tourism for co-organizing the forum. She said, ASEAN and China are good neighbours linked by mountains and rivers and good partners that enjoy close cooperation and mutual benefit. Since the establishment of dialogue relation in 1991, ASEAN-China political mutual trust has been deepened, economic and trade cooperation has become closer and closer and people-to-people exchanges have achieved fruitful results. An all-round, wide-ranging and multilevel cooperation pattern has taken shape. ASEAN-China relations have become the most dynamic and profound relations among its dialogue partners. The 20th ASEAN-China Summit was successfully concluded in Manila on 13 November. Leaders of both sides reiterated the commitment to jointly advancing the ASEAN-China strategic partnership, issued a series of joint statements on cooperation in tourism, connectivity and so on. These have charted the direction of future ASEAN-China cooperation. She said, ASEAN and China enjoy abundant natural resources, splendid culture, long history and fascinating natural landscapes. Cultural Heritage protection is receiving greater attention and becoming a more and more important part of the sustainable and responsible tourism development. She hoped, this forum could become a platform for sharing valuable insights and best practices, and exploring effective measures to fulfill the goal of sustainable tourism development.

Under the theme of Cultural Heritage Protection and Tourism Development, the speakers mainly discussed on such topics as Cultural Tourism Development and Sustainable Growth, and Best Practices and Policies in Cultural Heritage Preservation. The speakers made constructive views and suggestions on protection methods, policies and cultural tourism cooperation along the Belt and Road, and expressed their willingness to contribute to the cultural tourism exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN and China.